Get the most from your Grand Canyon visit, safely.

People stand behind a wall to safely view the Grand Canyon

With the concern about the recent deaths at the canyon, some people are wondering; is the Grand Canyon safe? 

Recently there has been a lot of buzz about people falling to their death at the Grand Canyon; there have been three known deaths so far in 2019. So is it safe to visit the Grand Canyon? The short answer is, yes it is. Just like many other destinations it has risks but it is perfectly safe if you use some common sense, pay attention, and follow some simple rules.

Always stay behind rails and on trails-  

Stay on designated trails and never ever lean over the railings. Most look outs have guard rails but some areas are open, giving access to the edge. Grand Canyon National Park recommends staying at least 6 feet (2 m) away from the edge and hold onto children. Be aware of your surroundings. Always. Backing up to get the best selfie at the edge can be dangerous if you aren’t aware how close you might be to the edge. Always keep an eye on your kids.

Stay hydrated-

Staying hydrated is important. Not only is it important in Arizona, but especially in higher altitudes. The South Rim is 7,000 feet (2135 meters). We always have water on our vans for our guests!

Prepare for Extreme temperatures- 

During the summer months the South Rim of the Grand Canyon can get above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. (29 Celsius) and 100+ degrees (38 Celsius) down in the Grand Canyon below the rim. Temperatures like that can be a concern. Especially if you are not use to it. During winter, on the South Rim it can get quite a below freezing at night. Dressing in the appropriate warm clothing, especially on windy days, is extremely important.

Protect yourself from the sun- 

The sun can be intense even on a cooler or cloudy day. Here are some items to help protect yourself from the sun with a wide brimed hat, long sleeve shirt, SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Remember to protect your eyes too with some UV protection sunglasses.

View wildlife from a distance- 

As tempting as it is to feed the cute little begging squirrel or other wildlife, it is prohibited. Feeding or getting close to the wildlife is a risk to both humans and the wildlife. According to the NPS (National Park Service) you should stay at least 50 feet (15 meters) from small wildlife such as squirrels, birds, and reptiles and at least 100 feet (30 meters) away from larger animals such as Elk, deer, bighorn sheep, California Condors, and mountain lions. That means even if they approach you.

A squirrel begs for food next to a sign prohibiting feeding the animals at the Grand Canyon.
source:NPS

Never throw anything over the edge of the Grand Canyon- 

Never throw trash, rocks, sticks, or anything else over the edge. There might be wildlife or hikers down below and what you throw over the edge could cause them an injury. Trash cans located around the park so there is no need to throw trash anywhere but a trash can. 

More than 5 million people safely visit the Grand Canyon each year (approximately 6.38 million in 2018) So can you!
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